Saudi Arabia prepares for offensive against Houthis; Mecca pact allies still missing
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a significant military campaign against the Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen. This operation seeks to reclaim vital coastal territories and ensure safe maritime passage. With the potential mobilization of over 100,000 Yemeni soldiers, the success and scale of the offensive depend on overcoming ongoing challenges in uniting these troops.
Saudi Arabia is preparing for an offensive against Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. The offensive could involve a limited coastal assault or a broader multi-front operation, according to Reuters. The military operation could be launched in the coming weeks, with up to 100,000 Yemeni troops mobilized, though the exact timing remains uncertain, ranging from within a week to after the US midterm elections in early November.
The immediate objective is to reverse the Houthi's rapid gains last month, which included seizing control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route between the Mediterranean and Asia. Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, expects the operation to be more limited than the 2015 Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, primarily focused on retaking coastal areas.
However, the Yemeni forces leading the ground offensive are a collection of factions, not a unified military, leading to challenges in organization and preparedness. Saudi Arabia's allies, including the United States, Pakistan, and Turkey, have provided support through intelligence, equipment, and defensive measures but are not directly involved in combat.
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